Six teen 111 . 1 \\i : i /. Mee ting. 11 



of which every devotee of science in the State should be proud. The meeting was held 

 in the recitation room of Prof. Parker, in Lincoln College, later Washburn College, which 

 is the stone building yet standing southeast of the capital square, on the corner of Tenth 

 and Jackson streets. The building was purchased by the city of Topeka when Washburn 

 College moved into its new building, southwest of the city, and has since been used as a 

 public school. 



The minutes of the first meeting arc of such interest that I have transcribed them 

 from the Secretary's record, and are as follows: 



"Pursuanl to a public call, the naturalists of the Mate met at Lincoln College, Topeka, Kansas, 

 September 1, 1868, for the purpose of organizing a 'State Natural History Society.' A preliminary 

 organization « as effected, with Prof. B. F. Mudge temporary chairman, and Prof. J. I>. Parker temporary 

 secretary. The .secretary then read letters from different naturalists in the state, regretting their nec- 

 essary absence, and pledging their cooperation. The whole matter was then fully discussed, and the 

 meeting resolved to proceed at once to organize a state Natural History Society. A constitution and 



by-laws were read, discussed, anil adopted. The officers elected for the following year were: President, 



B. F.Mudge; Vice President, Prof. Whitman ; Secretary, J. D. Parker ; Treasurer, F. H. Snow ; Curator, 

 .1. A. Ban field. ( >n met inn, i»rs. I>.c. Freyer and Geo. II. Sternberg were elected honorary members. It 

 was then resolved thai each member of the Society is expected to present a paper on some scientific 

 topic at each annual meeting. The executive committee were directed to provide a public lecture at 

 each annual meeting. 



" On motion, adjourned. J. D. Parker, Secretary." 



The following constitution and by-laws were adopted at this meeting: 



"constitution. 



" Article I. This association shall be called the Kansas Natural History Society, 



"Art. II. The object of this Society shall be to increase and diffuse a knowledge of the natural sci- 

 ences, particularly in relation to the State of Kansas. 



"Art. III. The members of this Society shall consist of two classes — active and honorary. Active 

 members may be elected at any regular meeting of the Society, and shall sign the constitution, and pay 

 an annual fee of one dollar. Honorary members may be elected on the written recommendation of 

 two members of the Society. 



"Art. IV. The officers of the Society shall he chosen by ballot, at the annual meeting, and shall 

 consist of a president, vice' president, secretary, treasurer, and curator, a majority of whom shall 

 constitute the executive committee. 



"Art. V. The annual meetings shall be held at the capital of the State, at such times as the Execu- 

 t ive ( lommittee shall designate. 



BY-LAWS. 



"Si i i iux 1. Eacli branch of natural science shall be assigned to some member of the Society, who 

 shall make an annual report cm the same, and assist the Curator in arrangingthe specimens in a cabinet. 



"Sec. 2. No hills of the Society shall be paid by the Treasurer without an order signed by the 

 President and Secretary. 



"SEC. '■'>. No meeting shall be held without a notice of the same being published in the papers of the 

 State at least thirty days previously. 



"Sec t. Special "meetings of tin- Society shall be called at such time and place as the Executive 

 ( lommittee shall direct." 



The following additional by-law was subsequently adopted: 



"SEC. 5. Members who shall allow their clues to remain unpaid for three years shall have their 



names stricken from the rolls, having been not ified by t be- Treasurer." 



Following the constitution in the Secretary's book is a roll of the members, giving 

 their names, residence, age, nativity, occupation, and other items — a most curious and 

 interesting record as we look back upon it now. It comprises an extensive list of names 

 up to the present, with an extremely varied assortment of ages, occupations, etc. Many 

 of them, alas, have now passed out into the shadows of the beyond! The honored name 

 of Professor Mudge heads the list of members; Professor Parker comes next, and then 

 follow the names of many who have been active in the work of the Academy, and many 

 who have never since been heard from. Many of our most active members now, recorded 

 themselves, when joining the Academy, as simply "students" — a most significant occu- 

 pation, and prophetic of the useful future in store for them. 



